American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Physical therapy is recommended for the non-pharmacologic treatment of which symptom in multiple sclerosis?

1. Cognitive dysfunction

2. Impaired mobility

3. Severe depression

4. Numbness in extremities

The correct answer is: Impaired mobility

Physical therapy is particularly beneficial for addressing impaired mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients with MS often experience weakness, spasticity, and balance issues that can significantly impact their ability to move effectively. Physical therapy employs targeted exercises and mobility training to enhance strength, coordination, and overall physical function, helping to improve the patient's mobility and independence. In contrast, cognitive dysfunction, while a significant concern in MS, typically requires cognitive rehabilitation strategies that may not be addressed solely through physical therapy. Severe depression commonly necessitates psychological interventions such as counseling or pharmacotherapy rather than physical rehabilitation. Numbness in the extremities is often a sensory symptom that may improve over time or with different types of interventions, but it is not the primary focus of physical therapy, which is oriented toward functional mobility improvement. Therefore, the role of physical therapy is most prominently linked to enhanced mobility in MS patients.